'Killing of sarpanch an act of frustration'

Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday condemned the killing of yet another Panchayat representative in the Valley terming it as an "act of frustration".

"If they shoot at an unarmed person, it reflects their weakness and their frustration," minister for roads and buildings, Abdul Majid Wani, said here on Monday.

He said that there are elements which do not want development in the state and are resorting to such activities.

"Whenever there is an effort for development and progress, for which these sarpanchs have come forward...to start the democratic set-up from the point where from it has to be started, there are some elements which don't want progress and development in the state...," Wani said on the sidelines of a function here.

Javed Ahmad Wani, a sarpanch in Kalantra-Kreeri in district Baramulla some 45 kilometers from Srinagar, was allegedly shot dead by unidentified gunmen last night when he was returning to his home.

Meanwhile, BJP also condemned Javed's killing and alleged that government has done nothing to protect the panches and sarpanches of the state.

BJP workers led by Panchyati Raj cell convener, Baldev Singh Baloria raised slogans against the National Conference led government and alleged that they were not willing to provide security to the panches and sarpanches.

"Government had promised security to the panches and sarpanches but many of them have been killed by terrorists.

Some of the panches and sarpanches have also resigned due to the persistent threat but government has not provided them any security," Baloria alleged.

"They have also not been given their due powers under 73rd amendment of the constitution, this shows that government had conducted elections only to get funds (from Centre) and they are not serious towards the security of panches and sarpanches," Baloria added.